Abstract: In one aspect, methods of sensing are described herein. In some embodiments, a method of sensing comprises disposing a fluorophore in a biological environment, wherein the fluorophore comprises a dioxo-pyridine ring (DPR) or a thiazolopyridine acid (TPA). The method further comprises exposing the biological environment to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength corresponding to an excitation wavelength of the fluorophore, detecting light emitted by the fluorophore, and correlating the light emitted by the fluorophore to a presence or absence of an analyte within the biological environment in an amount above a minimum detection threshold. The presence of the analyte can increase or decrease the amount of light emitted by the fluorophore. The presence of the analyte may also shift the peak emission wavelength or alter the fluorescence lifetime of the fluorophore. The analyte, in some embodiments, comprises hydrogen ions, halide ions, and/or halogens.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of cell growth and tissue engineering, in particular, an engineered biomimetic culture platform (BCP) that has a nanotextured and micropatterned surface that provides both chemical and mechanical cues designed to mimic the structure of the in vivo extracellular micro-environment. The BCP can be used in assays to assess the migratory behavior and/or potential of a population of cells, such as tumor cells, as well as in screening assays for diagnostic and/or prognostic purposes, or to identify agents that modify the migratory behavior or the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cells. BCPs as described herein further provide a platform for the identification of protein or genetic targets for the modification of cell migratory or invasion behavior.

Abstract: A tool to fasten tissue or to fasten a prosthetic to tissue includes a gripper to hold one or more tissue portions, a needle, an actuator to drive the needle, a fastener cartridge to store one or more tissue fasteners, a holder cartridge to store one or more holders, and a holder applier to secure one of the holders on one of the fasteners. The actuator drives the needle and the needle pulls a first fastener from the fastener cartridge. The actuator drives the needle through the one or more tissue portions held by the gripper to form a hole in the tissue portions. The needle pulls a leading portion of the first fastener through the hole without a trailing portion of the first fastener being pulled through the hole. The holder applier secures a first holder from the holder cartridge onto the leading portion of the first fastener.

Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of a semiconductor component with a multi-layered nucleation body and method for its fabrication. The semiconductor component includes a substrate, a nucleation body situated over the substrate, and a group III-V semiconductor device situated over the nucleation body. The nucleation body includes a bottom layer formed at a low growth temperature, and a top layer formed at a high growth temperature. The nucleation body also includes an intermediate layer that is formed substantially continuously using a varying intermediate growth temperature.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of a semiconductor component with a multi-layered nucleation body and method for its fabrication. The semiconductor component includes a substrate, a nucleation body situated over the substrate, and a group III-V semiconductor device situated over the nucleation body. The nucleation body includes a bottom layer formed at a low growth temperature, and a top layer formed at a high growth temperature. The nucleation body also includes an intermediate layer that is formed substantially continuously using a varying intermediate growth temperature.

Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for preventing or reducing scar formation (e.g., hypertrophic scars). Certain embodiments provide a method of preventing hypertrophic scar formation in a subject comprising administering a HMG-CoA reductase-inhibiting agent to a wound site. In some embodiments, the wound site comprises scar tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a promotion and for distributing promotions to potential users provide a merchant or promotion organizer flexibility in the way they conduct the promotion as well as an ability to change one or more aspects of the promotion during the operation of the promotion. One or more outcomes are generated by a controller and provided to a user. In addition, one or more codes which allow the outcomes to be revealed or unlocked are generated by the controller and provided to an intermediary. In exchange for completing or satisfying a qualifying action or criteria, the user may receive a code from the intermediary. The user can then unlock an outcome to reveal a prize, benefit, symbol, value, etc., associated with the unlocked outcome. The user may provide a redemption request to either the controller or the intermediary based on the unlocked outcome to receive a benefit or prize associated with the unlocked outcome.

Abstract: A compound semiconductor device includes a first III-nitride buffer layer doped with carbon and/or iron, a second III-nitride buffer layer above the first III-nitride buffer layer and doped with carbon and/or iron, a first III-nitride device layer above the second III-nitride buffer layer, and a second III-nitride device layer above the first III-nitride device layer and having a different band gap than the first III-nitride device layer. A two-dimensional charge carrier gas arises along an interface between the first and second III-nitride device layers. The first III-nitride buffer layer has an average doping concentration of carbon and/or iron which is greater than that of the second III-nitride buffer layer. The second III-nitride buffer layer has an average doping concentration of carbon and/or iron which is comparable to or greater than that of the first III-nitride device layer. A method of manufacturing the compound semiconductor device is described.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a method provides for facilitating play of a game on a mobile device by recognizing inputs provided by a user, at least one of the inputs causing progress in the game. In accordance with one embodiment, a code is received at the mobile device, in response to which code access to an outcome is provided. Upon an outcome redemption request being received, a benefit associated with the outcome may be provided. The benefit may, in some embodiments, be capable of changing play of the game by the user.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for determining characteristics of a wound. The system includes a first imaging sensor that obtains imaging information of a wound area and a second imaging sensor that obtains topology information of the wound area.

Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a device and method associated with the delivery of medical devices in the pericardial space using a minimally invasive approach with direct visualization. More specifically, the device can be used to deliver permanent pacing, defibrillation and cardiac resynchronization leads, as well as leadless pacemakers for cardiac rhythm management to the epicardial surface of the heart. A subxiphoid procedure is proposed as a minimally invasive alternative to thoracotomy, while the delivery tool incorporates a camera for direct visualization of the procedure. The tool also incorporates a steerable catheter to provide selective control of the placement and orientation of the medical device in the pericardial space.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method and apparatus for providing recommendation for a medical surgical procedure, including acquiring, using circuitry, a plurality of multispectral images representing a portion of an anatomy of a patient, performing image processing on each of the plurality of multispectral images to form a plurality of value maps, each value map identifying aspects of the portion of the anatomy by assigned values, combining the plurality of value maps into a single recommendation map, determining optimal points for performing the medical surgical procedure based on the single recommendation map, and displaying the optimal points for the medical surgical procedure by overlaying the optimal points on an original image of the portion of the anatomy or applying the optimal points to a robotic medical surgical procedure.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for determining characteristics of a wound. The system includes a first imaging sensor that obtains imaging information of a wound area and a second imaging sensor that obtains topology information of the wound area.

Abstract: A system and method of creating a 3-dimensional (3D) replica of a patient's anatomy. The method includes acquiring 3D echo images of the patient's anatomy using ultrasound waves, selecting a filter that reduces noise in the 3D echo images, selecting a segmentation algorithm to segment the filtered 3D echo images, selecting at least one additional segmentation algorithm to subsequently segment the segmented 3D echo images, creating a 3D digital model, and outputting the 3D digital model as the 3D replica of the patient's anatomy. The method also includes acquiring other 3D images using MRI/CT scans, creating another 3D digital model, determining a scaling factor to scale the other 3D digital model to correspond to a size of the 3D digital model created using ultrasound waves, combining the 3D digital model and the other 3D digital model, and outputting the combined 3D digital models.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a method provides for facilitating play of a game on a mobile device by recognizing inputs provided by a user, at least one of the inputs causing progress in the game. In accordance with one embodiment, a code is received at the mobile device, in response to which code access to an outcome is provided. Upon an outcome redemption request being received, a benefit associated with the outcome may be provided. The benefit may, in some embodiments, be capable of changing play of the game by the user.

Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.